Megan Shackleton remaining upbeat following quarter-final Paralympic exit

Megan Shackleton is confident that her maiden individual Paralympic medal is on the horizon despite a quarterfinal loss at Paris 2024.

The 25-year-old from Todmorden pushed world number one Borislava Peric-Rankovic of Serbia in five sets but fell at the final hurdle at the South Paris Arena, narrowly missing out on a place in the women's singles semifinals.

The para table tennis player clinched two sets in a nail-biting game that saw Peric-Rankovic take the spoils 12-10, 9-11, 11-1, 10-12, 11-8.

Shackleton has faced a difficult few years following Tokyo 2020 after a pressure sore injury forced her to take a year away from the sport and threatened her appearance at a second Games in Paris.

But after battling back from the toughest moment of her sporting career to challenge one of the best players in the world on the Paralympic stage, Shackleton admitted that, despite a loss, things are definitely looking up.

"I'm really proud of myself," said Shackleton, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

"I've had a really tough past two years coming back from injury and this year I've been in the form of my life so far.

"Another Paralympic medal would have been a fantastic fairy-tale to the end of the year but I'm just proud of how I've dug in and found a way back to being one of the top players in the world.

"I can feel that everything is starting to come together again now.

"I'm obviously a bit disappointed and heartbroken but I feel positive for the future."

Shackleton won team class 4-5 bronze with Sue Bailey in Tokyo but was unable to reach the podium in Paris, facing mixed doubles defeat in the round of 16 alongside teammate Tom Matthews.

But Shackleton noted that her quick learning and fine form against friend and rival Peric-Rankovic in Paris is only proof that she will be one to watch come LA 2028.

"I'm really pushing her now and at times I feel like I'm in control," she said.

"But with her experience she knows what to do in the tough moments and I can learn a lot from her in that.

"She's a fantastic competitor, we've played together in doubles this year and won some tournaments.

"I do believe that I can beat her but I have so much respect for what she's done in the sport.

"Hopefully in four years time I can clinch that medal, and it will be an incredible story."

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